LOGINManolya’s POV Adlee scrambled to catch him, barely managing to stay on his feet as Adem landed in his arms with a loud, graceless thud. Both of them toppled over, rolling down the last few steps before coming to a heap at the bottom. “Adem!” I hissed, glaring at him. “Stay put! Don’t make this worse! Are you alright?” I was worried sick but the Sentry had an iron grip around my wrist. I could not move! Uncle Eren grabbed both boys by the scruffs of their necks and hauled them upright. “Easy now, lads,” he muttered, though his voice shook slightly. “Don’t go getting yourselves killed before the real danger even starts.” Adlee groaned, rubbing his elbow. “Manolya’s such a cheater. It’s supposed to be men first! We’re the ones who are supposed to check for danger!” “Really?” I shot back with a fake laugh, trying not to let my worry seep through. “You think now’s the time for chivalry? Sit down and stay out of trouble!” Pelin knelt beside them, her face pale with worry.
Manolya’s POV My heart raced as I stared at the four statues of virtues beautifully carved figures of women with smooth, polished skin and elegant, draped dresses. And then, just as the earth stopped trembling, their eyes snapped open, glowing with an eerie light. This was my fault. I had dragged everyone here, convinced that the Library of Celsus held the answer to finding the elusive Moonbird. I had been so sure and stubborn. “I didn’t mean to, I swear by Allah!” Adlee yelped. He grabbed my arm and hauled me backward down the stairs. We had just tried to sprint toward the entrance. Now we were retreating, step by step. “Oh great, Adlee. Always playing the hero. Now look what you’ve done!” Adem hissed at his twin, his eyes wide and furious. “I was just trying to help! Shut up!” Adlee shot back, stumbling as he dragged me another step down. One of the statues moved. Stone scraped against stone. Their heads tilted in unison, glowing eyes locking onto us. The
Manolya’s POV My eyes flicked to Uncle Eren, wondering if he had any insight into the matter. He stood tall, his expression thoughtful, as always. “We already triggered a crazy demoness statue that the Artemis cult had cursed…” I said, my voice steady but wary. “So, we might tread with caution on this one too, as we don’t know what kind of traps they have set out for us.” Adem and Adlee, however, seemed undeterred by my caution. They were a little wild, always eager to jump headfirst into whatever danger awaited us. “We don’t care! Right, we’ll protect you guys!” they chorused, with their enthusiasm. “Thanks, boys,” I said with a small smile, “I know you always have our backs.” Uncle Eren looked over at us, his expression turning more serious. “Let’s go to the library now then and conduct a search to see what we can find. We’ll pair up—two and two. Nobody walks alone. Understood?” I nodded, a shiver running down my spine despite the warmth in the air. “Okay.” I grabb
Manolya’s POV The second we stepped into the car, Adem turned toward Pelin, his expression was of frustration and concern. “Hey, sis, why didn’t you tell us you were out on a quest?” he asked, his voice visibly annoyed. “I’m sorry,” I interjected quickly, feeling the weight of his words. “It was me who wasn’t ready. I’m sorry, I couldn’t face anyone so I told Pelin not to tell.” Adem’s face softened for a moment. “It’s okay, Manolya. We understand. Right, Adlee?” he said, glancing at his twin brother. “Sure, sure!” Adlee grumbled, still half asleep after eating too much breakfast and the previous long car ride, his eyes barely open. “He wasn’t really paying attention, still a little sleep-drunk.” “Manolya,” Adem continued, his tone now gentler, “you know we really missed you. We never thought in a million years we’d spend our summer this way… it’s been weeks of suffering and torture.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We’re just glad you’re okay. We love you, y
Manolya’s POV Bang. Bang. Bang. Three loud knocks rattled the door. “Manolya, the door!” Pelin groaned beside me in the wide bed, her voice muffled by the pillow. I slowly opened my eyes, still half lost in sleep. “Pelin… I think I slept like a dead person.” She snickered and shoved me with her foot. “You always do. And you snore.” “I do not!” I protested, laughing as I rolled away from her kick. “Go answer the door before Eren and the twins break it down,” she muttered, burying her face deeper into the sheets. “Alright, alright! Just a minute!” I shouted toward the door. I dragged myself out of bed and pulled on my black combat attire, the fabric clinging to my skin as I adjusted it into place. My body still felt heavy, muscles stiff from yesterday’s chaos. I stumbled across the dark wooden floors, barely steady on my feet. The whitewashed walls and cool sandstone brushed against my palm as I caught myself from falling. Another knock echoed through the suite.
Manolya’s POV She dropped her head instantly, reflexes snapping into place before her brain caught up. She froze, then slowly looked back at me. “Stop that! You almost gave me a heart attack!” I grinned, breathless. “Hey, I was doing you a favor. That thing could take your head clean off.” She smirked. “Good. I’d hate to survive demon trials just to lose to a chandelier, that my friend would have been even more tragic” We both burst out laughing, the sound wild and a little unregulated, like our bodies hadn’t realized yet that the fighting was over. After Pelin was finished I barely made it to the shower before peeling off my clothes on the floor. warm water washed the sweat and grime away. When I stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, steam curling around me, I finally felt human again. Pelin was sprawled across the bed like a corpse, staring up at the ceiling. “I forgot what bliss and silence felt like,” she exhaled. “I forgot what clean sheets felt like,” I repli
Manolya’s POV The air grew colder as we stepped deeper into the chamber. At first I thought the shadows were only shadows. But then they moved. They had legs, arms, and faces so dark they almost swallowed light. Black Marids. Dark whirlwinds coiled at their feet, binding them to the stone floo
Manolya’s POV The air in the tunnel grew colder with every step we took. My chest was already tight, but when we rounded the last corner and stepped into the chamber, I froze. The room was blazing with light, but it wasn’t fire or torches. The walls themselves gleamed. Floor to ceiling filled w
Emre’s POV The hotel room door shut with a heavy thud behind us. I leaned against it for a moment, letting my head fall back against the wood. My legs ached from hours of walking, searching, questioning. My lungs still burned from the night air. We’d covered every street and alley we could wit
Uncle Eren’s POV The silence after the fight was heavier than the stone above us. For a long moment all I heard was our panting, the hiss of torches, and the drip-drip of water from somewhere deep in the tunnels. I turned in a slow circle, scanning the kids first, their safety was my first prior







